The First Singapore-Based Regional Proptech Accelerator

JLL and Lendlease jointly launched Propell Asia, the first Singapore based regional propttech accelerator that will connect ambitious start-ups to Asia Pacific’s commercial real estate market, which was worth US$16 trillion in 2017 and is set to grow to US$19.5 trillion by 2020.

Propell Asia is an industry-first collaboration between JLL and Lendlease, two of the world’s leading and most recognisable international real estate companies. Together with partners coworking space District6 and creative design incubator MeshMinds, the accelerator programme is targeted at early stage start-ups in the region with a clearly defined product that can be applied to one of the following categories:

Real estate transactions – increase automation to achieve greater efficiency in leasing and sales including use of blockchain technologies.

Construction management – disrupt the design and construction of the built environment to enhance safety and productivity outcomes during construction.

Data collection, data science and analysis – improve decision-making for occupiers, investors and managers by applying artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques on data that is both internal and external to commercial real estate.

Propell Asia aims to select five start-ups from the region to enter a 10-week programme. Each of the start-ups stand to receive a S$20,000 grant, as well as access to reputable mentors comprising real estate industry experts and successful start-up founders, among others. Some notable mentors include:

Julian Kwan, CEO and Co-Founder, InvestaCrowd

Anthony Chow, CEO, Igloohome

Joanne Ormandy, CIO, Greater China, JLL

Anuj Nangpal, Head of Technology Ventures, JLL

David Hutton, Managing Director of Development, Lendlease

Richard Kuppusamy, Digital Integration Manager, Lendlease

Yuet Whey Siah, Co-founder and CEO, Drea.sg

Bill Lee, Group Managing Partner, Azendian Solutions

The programme will be based at District6, a co-working space located in Bras Basah, Singapore.

Tony Lombardo, Chief Executive Officer Asia of Lendlease, said:

Tony Lombardo

“Propell Asia is purpose-built to provide start-ups with the platform to accelerate their business success.

Through our integrated business models and networks, Lendlease and JLL will enable participants to access the entire real estate value chain – including investment, development, construction, brokerage, consulting and facilities management – and opportunities to test and validate their products.”

Albert Ovidi, Chief Operating Officer of JLL Asia Pacific, added:

Albert Ovidi

“Through Propell Asia, we want to discover promising start-ups with sustainable and innovative solutions that can transform the real estate industry. Against the backdrop of rapid urbanisation and the rise of smart cities, our industry in Asia Pacific is primed for the next wave of disruption.

Data analytics, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, virtual reality, blockchain; all of these technologies will play a pivotal role in the evolution of the real estate industry.”

In June 2018, JLL Spark, the technology innovation arm of JLL, announced the creation of a US$100 million global venture fund to invest in companies focused on leveraging technology to improve the real estate experience.

Applications for Propell Asia are open from 25 June to 17 August, and the accelerator programme for the five successful start-ups will commence in the third quarter of 2018.